Lawerance "Red" Baumunk's Obituary
Big Rapids - Lawerance "Red" Baumunk, 95, of Big Rapids passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. He was born September 3, 1920 to Harry and Bessie (Robinson) Baumunk, in a little tar-papered shack at the end of a two-track nine miles east and north of Big Rapids, now known as 135th Avenue. At the age of six he started school walking 2 ½ miles, the last ½ mile on a path through the woods. He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1939 and then farmed with his father, Harry Baumunk, until 1950, having one of the top Guernsey herds in Michigan. In 1954, Red married Elaine (Colley) Bechaz, a widow with four children. They later had four more children. In 1959, Red and Elaine purchased a dairy farm southwest of Big Rapids where they milked cows and had a riding stable. Later, he raised registered paint horses and helped organize the Northern Michigan Paint Horse Club, of which he was a founding member. In 1971, he started selling real estate and in 1978, along with three others, started Big Rapids Realty. In 1996, he sold his interest to Mark Wentland but remained working there until retiring at the age of 83. Red never really had any hobbies, but loved the outdoors, the land, the woods, and raising colts. If he ever had a hobby, it was getting on his bulldozer and digging out a stump, a stone, or just making a trail through the woods. Red is survived by Elaine, his wife of 61 years; six children, Karyl "Sis" (Bill) Cahill of Grand Rapids, Gary "Butch" Bechaz of Big Rapids, Joe (Mary) Bechaz of Big Rapids, Bonnie Doorenbos of Grand Rapids, Randy Baumunk of Big Rapids, and Jeff (Jean) Baumunk of Big Rapids; fourteen grandchildren; and twenty-nine great grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Eleanor Baumunk of Big Rapids, plus several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Red was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Harry and Rodney; two sisters, Laura Gould and Lulu Gilmore; as well as one brother, Glenn Stockwell. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Trinity Fellowship Church in Big Rapids with William Routley and Father Dan DePew officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, October 18th from 3-5 pm and Monday, October 19th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Mohnke Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
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